CROWN HEIGHTS — Over 250 Bochurim got together last night for a unique ‘no holds barred’ style forum. Various topics were discussed with two prolific Mashpiim and public speakers, Rabbi Yossi Paltiel and Rabbi Manis Friedman. Among the array of topics discussed, were dating to university and business. The event was organized by the new Besht center.
Paltiel, Friedman Discuss Contemporary Issues for Singles
CROWN HEIGHTS — Over 250 Bochurim got together last night for a unique ‘no holds barred’ style forum. Various topics were discussed with two prolific Mashpiim and public speakers, Rabbi Yossi Paltiel and Rabbi Manis Friedman. Among the array of topics discussed, were dating to university and business. The event was organized by the new Besht center.
The event began with Rabbi Mendel Kalmenson, the Beshts spiritual leader, opening the event with a Dvar Malchus.
Rabbi Kalmenson spoke about the contrasting differences between Gimmel Tammuz today and before 1994. He explained that in the generation of Moshe Rabainu, the people went to seek new leaders after Moshe ascended into heaven and was no longer physically visible. Thus the sin of the golden calf was born, highlighting the difference between our generation and the previous one.
He then introduced Rabbi Manis Freidman, who spoke about how Chabad is the only Chassidus in which the dynamic of ‘the bigger the Chossid the bigger the Rebbe’ exists. This is because, the relationship between the Rebbe and a Chabad Chossid is that of a Mashpia and a Mekabel. In such a relationship the receiver can potentially give more to the Mashpia then the other way around.
Rabbi Yossi Paltiel spent some time discouraging the Bochurim from going to university. However he said, “if you do go, do the best you can at it and earn a Nobel Prize.” Adding the same for business, that if a Bochur goes into business, they should become a David Chase.
Rabbi Paltiel said that although many are not merited to go on Shlichus, that does not mean the individual can’t live a life of Shlichus in business, in university, or even in Crown Heights itself. He later quipped about the analogy of Crown Heights to a farm, and said I am not sure which we are, the farmers or the other residents of the farm.
Following the formal speeches a lively and humorous question and answer session followed.
Stay tuned to video from the Event.
A grateful mother
Thanks Rabbi Paltiel, you have helped many boys not go on shlichus.
Buisnesman
Typical, academics telling you how to do buisness. Those that can’t do, teach. If you want to help, try teaching a skill that can actualy be used.
Bottom line is use your resorces ie family and friends as the rebbe said ask loved ones and experts. Plan your work and work your plan.
I disagree with Paltiel, No need to be Chase, rather be honest and erlich and create a long term kaily.
A Friend
I wasn’t at the event but the following quote in the write up gave me great pause; “if you do go [to college], do the best you can at it and earn a Nobel Prize; the same for business, that if a Bochur goes into business that they should become a David Chase”. This statement seems to imply that the value of a chabad chasid who doesn’t go on Shlichus is measured only by the success achieved by the most superficial of standards – public opinion and wealth!
With all due respect, this was NOT the Rebbe’s message. Raising a family, educating children, dealing honestly in business, making a kiddush hashem, modeling the teachings of the Rebbe, and caring for those around us in their time of need have a much deeper significance in this world and have much greater meaning to the Rebbe’s mission than wealth or prestige.
It is a grave mistake to advise our young men and women to take their focus away from the above mentioned life goals and focus on the fickle and in vogue barometers of fame and fortune.
Ha’Kol B’dai Shameim Chutz M’Yieras Shameim. Fame and fortune are up to G-d’s ultimate plan and we have no control over those things. It is how we live our lives, regardless of the circumstances, that is deeply valuable and important.
A Friend
Chaim Tovim
Those rabbis are great!!! I wish I was there…
another friend
Well said, Number 3!
the besht
a special thanks to
rabbi werde
rabbi kalmenson
lipa benjaminson
yaacov sebbag
asher ohana
for making this event
common sense
The point was, dont just not go on shlichus because you are lazy. Whatever you do, give it your best.
To A Friend
I see what your getting at- but is that what you think we think about shlichus: that its about fame and fortune??????????
Please.
To # 8
You are one of the idiot posters frequenting sites like this who make absolutely no sense. Commenter 3 was raising an issue that he had about what Paltiel said re people who go into business; not shluchim. And, he was lambasting Paltiel for seemingly adoring fame and fortune instaed of other, more important values.
Before you comment, at least make an effort to ensure your point is valid. Oh, and only one question mark is necessary after a question.
Con. # 9
…oh and yes, I realize I misspelled “instead”.
a mother
coke and chips? please serve water keep healthy and long life
bi gezunt
Martin Luther King III
“If a Bochur goes into business, they should become a David Chase”.
Why? Because if he doesn’t he will be looked on like an outcast from mainstream Chabad, and will be considered an ‘oisvarf’ and ‘farmer’ etc?
Rabbi Paltiel you should know better!
One should judge a man by his character and not by the size of his wallet or trophies on his shelf!
Bocher
WANRNING!!!
i was there and this article in no way is an accurate representation of the ideas brought forward by the speakers.
Please don’t criticize before listening to the lecture.
Dovid
To 3 and 5:
As often happens when things are just quoted out of context it looses the meaning behind it.
I’ve heard Rabbi Paltiel speak about the subject of going to college on two occasions.
His message was not at all meant to imply that “the value of a chabad chasid who doesn’t go on Shlichus is measured only by the success […] public opinion and wealth!”. His point was that that the Rebbe’s shita is that since you are a chossid, whatever you do needs to used to fulfill the goal of being mekarev another yid, a lamplighter. So since by striving to be the best in business will make you more respected, and therefor more influential, then it’s something you should do. So that another yid might be impressed that such an entrepreneur as yourself makes time to daven and learn etc., he may say to himself that surely he can make time for that too.
The story from David Chase that he asked the captain which way is east, and explained that he needs to pray. That impressed the captain to pray too.
In other words being the best in business is a tool in shlichus, and that’s why you should be the best. Not ch“v for merely fame and public opinion.
As the Rebbe once told someone to return to college, so that he can be a bigger influence to yidden if he’ll have a few letters after his name.
So don’t go to college, but if you do, the Rebbe wants you to be the best, since that will be a shlichus.
So of course ”Raising a family, educating children, dealing honestly in business, making a kiddush hashem, modeling the teachings of the Rebbe, and caring for those around us in their time of need have a much deeper significance in this world and have much greater meaning to the Rebbe’s mission than wealth or prestige.” But using the wealth and prestige to bring another yid closer to yiddishkeit was very important to the Rebbe.
A Friend-s Clarification
Just to clarify:
1) I was not at the event
2) I do not know the context in which Rabbi Paltiel’s comments were said
3) And I don’t even know if the quote in the article is accurate
My only comment was on the content of the article and the very misleading message that I felt it contained for Chabad chassidim who find themselves in a profession other than Shlichus.
I know many people whose sense of self esteem has been very warped by this either/or approach to life and they carry with them the silly notion that if they aren’t on Shlichus and haven’t become wealthy either – they have not lived up to their potential.
It is a shameful stereotype and I would challenge anyone who feels that way to look deeply into their own lives, take stock of what it really important, and then move forward with the joy and confidence that comes from knowing we each have a most important mission in this world (and by Divine providence find ourselves exactly where we need to be to accomplish that mission!).
Remember, according the Alter Rebbe, the Yeitzer Harah doesn’t need to bring us to sin to accomplish his objective! The Yeitzer Harah only needs to inflict us with the kind of depression and self doubt that clouds our reality and doesn’t allow us to see our own potential and he has accomplished his goal!
And sometimes the Yeitzer Harah may even present himself with a long beard and a bekkeshah ;-)
A Friend
to #8
Shlichus for the most part today is working for Lubavitch Inc., and just like any international company there are different ways to rise etc..
to #3
your a mishachist with no concept thats all i can say
jkkdeojvpwijf
Why is everyone in black and white? Why are these people being told to put kochos into being GREAT college students? Huh?
Where are the colored shirt guys and knitted kipot guys?
A former Student
There are more young men from Ch not religious b/c of Y Paltial then any other man in Lubavitch. He should not be allowed to speak to any crowd ever.
to # 18
Unless you can tap into nepotism Lubavitch Inc. is not hiring. Thats partially why more and more white shirt black hat guys are going to college/graduate schools.
i was there
please don’t post an article like this without getting an editor who was there to carefully examine the way you put forth what the speakers said , as it is very misleading , and the oints were not all as simple as written up here, as the other article by that guy who clearly didn’t understand what the rabbi s were saying.
Elterer Chosid
Oy vey.
Just as I feared.
Another step in the dumbing down of chassidus-chabad.
That the kind of young chassidim we see in the picture felt a need to come (5 bucks of need at least) is a barometer.
And they got what could have been expected. More Of The Same.
That’s why the “others” (tee shirts, trimmed beards) didn’t come. MOTS is what they are “rebelling” against.
Shoshana
To #19 I’m sorry you’re upset at Rabbi Paltiel but I’m also shocked at your statement. Rabbi Paltiel is a wonderful speaker and chossid and a mashpia to many. He’s ehrlich and a role model and I wish I could have even a fraction of the chassidishkeit he and his family have. I am sorry you obviously didn’t do well with him but don’t smear hi name please. If you have a “bone to pick” with Rabbi Paltiel, I suggest you try to resolve it as best as you can. Grudges don’t help anyone, not you or Rabbi Paltiel.
Thank you #14 for clarifying his statements. They made a lot more sense. First of all if Rabbi Paltiel was talking only of material success, he wouldn’t be realistic. For every “David Chase” there are at least 1,000 people who won’t make that type of wealth, but the context makes all the difference and his message is inspiring although it sounds like a lot of bochorim who could have benefited from the message weren’t there to hear it:
Everybody has the potential to be a shaliach and be a lamplighter in the way David Chase in the story was. We have to see every moment as an opportunity to spread light.
to #19 and Shoshana
Dear #19. I feel your pain as my son was also one of those boys. With alot of help from Ha-Shem, he found his way back. No, he is not a shliach, but he rebuilt his life based on torah and mitzvos. Dear Shoshana, Do not judge another until you have been in his shoes. The pain and rejection of being thrown out of a Lubavitcher Yeshiva rips the heart out of a Tammim. Only those invovled know what they did. Only Ha-Shem will judge.
Beck
Video please!
Questionable output....
In my opinion,(and I have experience with presentational dynamics), Rabbi Paltiel did not present an appropriate message to this group. If he needed to prepare so that his words would sound wise and sensitive, he should have done so. If he did prepare and still managed to convey in a less than helpful way, then I think he in not the right choice to deliver this message. In addition, I have read some of Rabbi Manis’s messages on successful relationships, and I did not feel that his messages were consistent with a healthy view of relationships. There were just too many disrespectful undertones for me to ever trust either of the two men. Are they authorities? Why were they chosen for these event? I would hope that for this valuable topic there would be great awareness and excellent agility to uplift, rather than to minimize, devalue, or disrespect.
Sorry....
I meant Rabbi Friedman, not Rabbi “Manis”.